Sierra Leone, UN sign Ebola Recovery Fund agreement

By Kemo Cham

[First Published on www.politicosl.com] The government and the United Nations have signed an agreement establishing the Sierra Leone Ebola Recovery Fund (SLERF), paving the way for the creation of an account to fund the country`s post-Ebola development plan.

Finance and Economic Development Minister Dr Kaifala Marah signed on behalf of the government, alongside Dr Gabriel Rugalema, Country Representative of the Food and Agricultural Organisation, who also doubles as the head of the UN system in the country.

The SLERF was created in response to the International Ebola Recovery Conference hosted by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon on July 10 in New York, United States, in a bid to garner financial support for the three neighboring Mano River Union countries hardest hit by the viral epidemic. Details of the Trust Fund, developed and finalized with the technical and financial support from the

United Nations Development Programme, was designed to ensure the smooth implementation of the country`s National Ebola Recovery Strategy. Government officials also say it will be aligned with the Agenda for Prosperity, the government`s development blue print.

Besides the massive loss of lives, 3315 as of December 20, according to the World Health Organisation, the outbreak resulted in a massive disruption of economic activities in the three countries.

According to a World Bank estimate in April 2015, the three countries were poised to loses a combined $1.6 billion this year alone.

The UN organized the Conference in partnership with the African Union, European Union, the World Bank and the African Development Bank.

The pledges at the conference itself generated $3.4 billion, bringing to a total of over US$5 billion pledged overall to the effort of ending the epidemic and helping the affected nations rebuild their economies.

Out of that amount Sierra Leone was to receive about US$ 894 million.

This money is to be lodged into the account to be jointly managed by the government and the UN.

The governing body of the Fund is the Steering Board, which comprises the Government of Sierra Leone, the UN and contributing partners. The UNDP’s Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (MPTF-O) was appointed Trustee of the Fund, and it will support the governing body by performing fiduciary role in accordance with the highest international standards.

To get the ball rolling in terms of making the pledges come to realization, the Sierra Leone government will contribute US$1M.

This is to demonstrate leadership and ownership, government officials said.

Other contributions will come from partners including those who pledged at the UN conference, including governments, Foundations, the private sector, and individuals.

Kawusu Kebbay, Director for Development Assistant Coordinating Office at the Ministry of Finance, said the idea of joint signatory was aimed at ensuring that everyone knows where and how the money is spent.

“That is to show that government is committed and wants to lead the process,” he said at the signing ceremony at the conference hall of the Ministry of Finance.

The SLERF will ensure “excellence and full transparency in receipt and administration of contributions, transfer of funding to approved projects and periodic reporting and monitoring to highlight achievements,” added Finance Minister Marah.

(C) Politico Online 24/12/15